Take me to the River
Join social ecologist and river restoration expert Dr. Siwan Lovett in conversations about the ideas, issues and opportunities that relate to our connections with nature and each other. This podcast offers open, honest and practical insights for us to reflect on in our daily lives.
Episodes
39 episodes
The Art of Healing Rivers: Kirstie Fryirs on Reading Rivers to Recover Them
In this episode of Take Me to the River, Dr. Siwan Lovett sits down with renowned fluvial geomorphologist Professor Kirstie Fryirs—co-developer of the globally adopted River Styles Framework—to explore how rivers are shaped, damaged, and healed...
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59:52
Protecting Platypuses with Josh Griffiths
Did you know that a nursing platypus mother must eat up to her entire body weight in food every day to support her and her young? Or that male platypuses have venomous spurs near their back legs that can cause intense pain which is immune to co...
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53:42
How mangroves are saving Queensland's Caboolture River, with Margie Dickson
In today's episode, Margie Dickson, Environmental Project Manager at Healthy Land and Water, takes us on a journey through her experience leading an innovative project on the Caboolture River which re-establishes mangroves for long-term bank st...
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52:33
Harmonising waters: water management, innovation and choral singing with eWater Group CEO Michael Wilson
Group CEO of eWater Group Michael Wilson has an extraordinary range of backgrounds: he’s a political scientist, classical musician, public servant, national security specialist, Australian Diplomat, and Humanitarian and International Developmen...
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54:40
Stocky Needs Our Help: Saving native freshwater fish from extinction with Dr. Mark Lintermans
Stocky Galaxias, or 'Stocky', is one of Australia's most critically endangered species — a tiny fish hidden away in the pristine alpine waters of Kosciuszko National Park.Can the survival of this elusive, critically endangered species i...
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55:32
The Power of Visual Storytelling: Marine Science to Graphic Recording with Dr. Sue Pillans
In today's episode, Siwan sits down with Dr. Sue Pillans, a marine scientist, artist and children’s author who specialises in creative and visual communications to help people “picture their ideas”. As a ...
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44:38
Reviving Queensland's Mary River (and Great Barrier Reef) with environmental engineer Misko Ivezich
In this episode, we’re diving into the waters of the Mary River with environmental engineer Misko Ivezich. With over 15 years of experience at Alluvium, Misko has long been at the forefront of combating river erosion and sediment issues which a...
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59:52
Saving Freshwater Species with Dr. Nick Whiterod
37% of Australia's freshwater species are facing extinction in the next century. In the words of today's guest, Dr. Nick Whiterod, "it is now a conscious decision not to act."Native fish populations in Australia are estimated to be less...
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50:28
Why your pet fish doesn't belong in the river, with Dr Mariah Millington
What if your pet fish could wreak havoc on Australia's ecosystems? Turns out, that's precisely what they'll do if they end up in our waterways.In today's episode, Dr. Siwan Lovett sits down with freshwater fish biologist Dr Mariah Milli...
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35:44
Reviving Rivers: water bugs, water quality, platypus and natives with Jed Pearson
Ever wondered what a platypus eats, how to remember native plant names, or what it takes to bring a river back to life? Today, ARRC Director Dr. Siwan Lovett sits down with Jed Pearson from the Rivers of...
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33:04
The Future of The Forgotten River with Dr. Maxine Cooper and Andy Lowes
In 2019, the Upper Murrumbidgee River at Tharwa ran dry. Under a burning, smoky sky, flow stopped entirely, and the riverbed was visible except for a few algae-choked pools. This came as a shock for local residents who rely on the river for the...
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36:39
Why Mentoring Matters with Callum Edwards & Jayden Woolley
In today's conversation, Siwan sits down with Callum Edwards from the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (CMA) and Jayden Woolley of the Wadawarrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation to discuss the significance and effectiven...
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22:35
The Magic of Mentoring with Henry Cooper & Matt Bowler
Siwan talks with Henry Cooper, Project Officer for Land and Catchment Health at the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, and Matt Bowler, Manager of Project Delivery at the
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38:03
Senator David Pocock: Being part of a larger story
On a crisp Friday morning by the banks of the Cotter river in January 2024, Siwan sat down with Senator David Pocock, the ACT's first independent senator and environmental advocate, to discuss what drives him and what he cares about; his journe...
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32:47
Meet the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Dr. Simon Banks — Episode 24
In today's episode, Siwan sits down with Australia's Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH), Dr. Simon Banks, to talk about his love of nature, his experience delivering eWater, and what it's like to be the CEWH. This conversation cover...
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37:46
Saving Australia's native fish with Dr. Wayne Koster — Episode 25
Siwan speaks with Dr. Wayne Koster of the Arthur Rylah Institute, at the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, to talk native fish recovery and research. Wayne leads research projects on native fish ecology and conservation acro...
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29:07
Country is crying out for good people with Richard Swain — Episode 23
In today's episode, Siwan talks with Richard Swain, a Dabee man of the Wiradjuri nation and a river adventure guide (Alpine River Adventures) in the Snowy Mountains, in Kozciuszko National Park. Richard grew up learning the history of the Austr...
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34:55
Country Speaks with Dr. Charles Massy — Episode 22
Regenerative Agriculture is revolutionising Australia's agriculture industry, and for good reason. Today, The Australian River Restoration's Managing Director Siwan Lovett sits down with Australia's foremost Regenerative Agriculture pioneer, Dr...
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54:24
Episode 21 — Why regenerative farming helps our waterways with Felicity Wheelwright
Sitting on the banks of the Wollondilly River, only two kilometres downstream of its headwaters, Siwan chats with Felicity Wheelwright. Felicity is a fifth-generation regenerative farmer in the Crookwell region and a fourth-generation farmer on...
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22:16
Episode 20 - Healing and Connection to Country with Yarning Circles. Guest Speaker: Tanya Keed and Lori Gould
As we have more conversations with Aboriginal people, we find that when we acknowledge Country it means so much more. There is an upswelling of emotion as the stories that are generously shared with us gives us insight into what it might be lik...
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35:22
Episode 19 - What happens to freshwater systems during floods? Guest Speakers: Angus Webb and Andy Lowes
Siwan and Andy sit down with Associate Professor Angus Webb to chat about the recent floods in the Goulburn River system in Victoria and what they mean for the ecology of the system. Angus works for the Environmental Hydrology and Water Resourc...
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48:26
Episode 18 - Why science and people matter for Australian rivers. Guest Speaker: Fiona Dyer
In this episode, Siwan chats with Professor Fiona Dyer about why science and people matter when it comes to rivers and their management. Fiona is a freshwater scientist at the University of Canberra, where she has a broad range of expertise and...
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39:43
Episode 17 - River Dreaming and Reconciliation. Guest Speaker: Richie Allan
In this episode, Siwan chats with Richie Allan about reconciliation and the importance of listening to Indigenous perspectives, particularly when it comes to our rivers. Richie comes from the Kamilaroi and Ngunnawal nations and is co-Director o...
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51:44
Episode 16 - How anglers are protecting native fish and the waterways they call home. Guest speaker: Andrew McGovern
In this episode, Siwan chats with Andrew McGovern, an avid angler and one of Australia’s most recognised fishing journalist. Andrew has been fishing in the Canberra and Snowy Mountains regions for over 40 years and has a special connection to t...
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48:09
Episode 15 - The Sound of Water – why should we be listening in to wetlands? Guests: Skye Wassens and Mitchell Whitelaw
In this episode, Siwan chats with freshwater and wildlife ecologist Dr Skye Wassens and Professor of Design Mitchell Whitelaw. Skye and Mitchell share their recent work on The Sound of Water project...
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35:24
